Dangerous Fire Stick users are said to be at risk of losing thousands of pounds, a new report has found. This stick is becoming increasingly popular among sports fans who don’t want to pay big bucks for subscription fees to watch their favorite team.
However, Dynata research shows that up to one in three illegal Fire Stick users have fallen victim to fraud. Victims also include identity theft and fraud, with average losses reaching £1,700.
It is said that hackers providing software often load malware onto devices, which can potentially leak private personal data. Apps hidden on dangerous sticks could allow hackers to access information such as bank details.
Dynata’s findings say: “One in three people (32%) who stream illegally in the UK say they or someone they know has become a victim of fraud, fraud or identity theft as a result.”
The use of dangerous sticks is considered a serious crime and police in the UK and Ireland are working with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) to step up efforts to crack down on their use. A man from Merseyside was recently sentenced to prison for personal use.
Sergeant Adam Dagnall, from Merseyside Police’s Cyber Crime Unit, said at the time: “Merseyside Police takes illegal streaming very seriously because it often funds organized crime and puts users at real risk.”
“Not only is this a crime, but unauthorized streaming services frequently contain malware that can compromise personal devices, causing loss of information such as bank account information, or be used for identity fraud.
“Legitimate providers have security measures in place to protect you from these threats. Don’t be tempted by cheap, so-called ‘fully-featured’ or ‘jailbroken’ devices, even as Christmas presents. You may end up getting more than you bargained for.”
